MGH Hotline 06.25.10 MGH EMPLOYEES crowded into the Bulfinch Tent June 21 to catch a sneak peek of the first episode of "Boston Med," an eight-part ABC News documentary series featuring the poignant, real-life stories of patients and caregivers at the MGH, BWH and Children's Hospital.

Boston Med

MGH community catches sneak preview of ABC series

25/Jun/2010

SERIES LAUNCH: DiBardino, Patel, Hurton, Troulis and Wrong during the June 21 panel discussion

MGH EMPLOYEES crowded into the Bulfinch Tent June 21 to catch a sneak peek of the first episode of "Boston Med," an eight-part ABC News documentary series featuring the poignant, real-life stories of patients and caregivers at the MGH, BWH and Children's Hospital. The series was filmed over the course of several months last year.

An advance screening of the first episode aired simultaneously in the O'Keeffe Auditorium for leadership from the three hospitals, along with special guests who were featured in the first episode and members of the ABC News film crew. MGH President Peter L. Slavin, MD, welcomed attendees to the showing.

"I know I speak for all three of the hospitals in saying that we were truly honored to be approached by ABC to do this series with them," said Slavin. "We're all very proud of the care that goes on within our institutions and the incredibly talented and dedicated staff who work so hard day and night to do their best for our patients and their families."

Terry Wrong, executive producer of "Boston Med," offered remarks as well, thanking all of the hospitals involved and noting that the MGH was the ABC crew's bureau location during the four months of filming. "Peter and the MGH staff were generous and gracious throughout filming. â€¦ It was a partnership all the way through the series," said Wrong, who cued up the preview at the end of his talk with the magic words: "Let the tape roll."

The first episode followed several story lines, including the case of Phil Hurton, a police officer who was shot in the face and hands while on duty. Hurton was brought to the MGH, where Maria Troulis, DDS, MSc, of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, performed surgery to remove a near-fatal bullet from his jaw. Troulis and Hurton -- as well as Wrong and two other caregivers featured in the episode, Pina Patel, MD, resident at the MGH and BWH at the time of the filming, and Daniel DiBardino, MD, at the time a BWH cardiothoracic fellow -- took part in a panel discussion following the preview. The panelists shared their initial reactions and talked about what it was like to be a part of the filming.

"Boston Med" premiered June 24 and will continue to air on Thursday nights at 10 pm throughout the summer. The series, which appears locally on Channel 5, also appears on ABC affiliate stations nationwide. For more information, visit www.massgeneral.org/bostonmed.